AZMerit/PARCC/SBAC — What’s the Difference?

What is the difference between the AZMerit Test, PARCC, and SMARTERBalanced Test?

Basically, there is no difference between all three of these tests. The PARCC and SMARTERBalanced consortia were awarded over $330 million to develop national assessments on the Common Core Standards. And, as if the $330 million was not enough, Bill Gates opened his wallet also to these two so-called “non-profits” to help fund the creation of the Common Core exams.

The AZMerit is actually just a rehashed SMARTERBalanced test created by their business partner, AIR (American Institute for Research) –see AZ Merit History.

The U.S. Department of Education wanted to make us Americans feel like we had a choice (hence the two consortia.) But, the tests are based off the same standards and have the same goal in mind.